The commune covers an area of 1,040 hectares (2,600 acres), and is 280 metres (920 ft) above sea level.

Names included Cirisidum, Cerisido, Cirisito, Cirisido, Cerexeti, Cireseto and finally Cereseto, probably referring to the many cherry trees in the area.

In 1910, the financier Riccardo Gualino and his wife launched construction of a new castle with almost 150 rooms in Cereseto.

[4] In 1931 Gualino was confined by the fascist regime to the Aeolian island of Lipari on charges of fraudulent bankruptcy and suffered the confiscation of all his property.

[5] The castle went through various changes of ownership, and at one time hosted one of the most impressive illegal drug refineries and laboratories in Europe.